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Schotzie, a special therapy dog

Posted on: November 9th, 2010 by

Schotzie and some other therapy dogs work their magic at a retirement home.
By: Dr. Jack Stephens
Pets Best Insurance President

Our dog Schotzie has been paralyzed for nearly a decade due to a ruptured disc in his back. This condition is common to the Daschund breed and if left untreated, can cause permanent paralysis. In Schotzie’s case, it caused sudden paralysis of the rear legs that required surgery to remove the disk material that was pressing on the spinal cord.

With quick treatment and surgery he could have been restored to normal. However, because his previous owners did not have the financial means to do so, he was not treated. This is just another example of how pet insurance could have easily changed Schotzie’s fate. As a result of not receiving proper treatment, he became permanently paralyzed and was schedule for euthanasia had not my wife adopted him. We flew him across the country and had a special cart made for him that allows him to be ambulatory. Of course as you can see by the photo, he must wear a diaper because he does not have normal control of his bladder or bowels.

He is a happy, patient and a wonderful therapy pet. He loves everyone and everyone loves to see him ambulate around in his doggy wheelchair. Though some humans, in a similar situation, might feel sorry for themselves, Schotzie behaves as if there is no physical problem.

One Halloween, he and Cooper (another one of our therapy dogs) visited a local nursing home with my wife, Vicki and our granddaughter Bradie.

As usual, Schotzie was especially inspirational for the seniors in wheelchairs. It was inspiring for them to see his outgoing and can-do disposition. Schotzie is also an inspiration when he visits children’s hospital wards. During these visits, he motivates the children to forget their own misfortune and gets them laughing, interacting and following him around.

There is nothing as gratifying as seeing therapy pets at work in society. Although most therapy pets are dogs, other pets, such as horses, cats, birds and rabbits do well also. My wife also has several miniature therapy horses for reading classes in grade schools. Therapy pets play the necessary role of relieving tension, reducing pain and depression and causing an increase in endorphins (warm feeling), oxytocin (happy hormone), prolactin (bonding hormone) and decreasing cortisol (stress hormone).

Visits at senior care facilities help to relieve boredom, entertain and create a warm atmosphere for patients and nursing staff. Therapy pets can also be used for detention facilities, special education students in high schools and rehabilitation facilities—many with great success stories.

Having worked with animals all my life, and now working in the pet insurance industry, I know better than most that special pets like Schotzie are not for everyone. They require more work, patience and time than normal pets. But the reward for those with the skills and patience is worth the effort because of their special attitude and zeal for life. Three of our therapy dogs; Schotzie, JP and Cooper were “throw away” pets that I can attest are now giving back so much to those they visit.

Consider adopting your next pet from a shelter or local rescue organization – you will receive more back from them than you can imagine!

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Keep your pet safe when traveling by air

Posted on: November 8th, 2010 by

Posted by: H.R.
Pets Best Insurance Editorial Manager
A small dog gets ready to travel by air.
With the holiday season upon us, more pet owners will be traveling with their pets in tow. Aside from knowing the safety basics and ensuring your have pet insurance “just in case,” the following are some tips that can help when traveling with pets by air.

When traveling by car is not an option, you may choose to fly with your pet. Check with the the airline that you plan to fly with and get the rules and regulations they have concerning pets traveling. Pet travel by air can be a pleasant experience for you and your pet if you take the proper precautions when planning your trip.

Before your flight you will want to have your pet checked out by your veterinarian to make sure he is healthy enough to fly. Your veterinarian will also check to make sure that your pet is up-to-date on any vaccines that are needed to fly. Airlines require a health certificate from your vet stating that your pet is up-to-date on his vaccines and is healthy enough to fly.

When traveling by air, your pet will have to stay in a pet crate for the duration of the flight. Small dog carriers are available in an array of styles to keep your dog safe. If your dog is too large to ride in the plane with you, he will have to ride in the cargo area. When choosing large dog crates for flying, be sure that they are certified for air travel.

Make sure that your dog has a collar and identification tags prior to travel. It is also a good idea to put identification information on the crates themselves.

Always keep a leash with you so that you are able to safely walk your dog before and after the flight. In addition to keeping a leash with you, it is a good idea to have a picture of your dog with you in case he gets lost during your travels.

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How to know if your cat has been poisoned

Posted on: November 8th, 2010 by

Posted by: H.R.
Pets Best Insurance Editorial Manger
A veterinarian takes care of a sick cat.
Poisoning is a common occurrence in cats, who are generally more sensitive to toxins than dogs.

In fact, some products that are used on dogs, like certain types of flea preventative, can be toxic and even fatal to cats– just another reason why it’s so important to look into pet insurance plans for your cat. Just coming into contact with toxic substances can poison them.

There are symptoms to look for if you suspect that your cat has been exposed to a toxin. A change in cat behavior is often the fist sign that something is wrong.

Once a cat ingests or comes in contact with a toxin, symptoms may not show up right away. Some toxins may take 3 to 4 days to show any effects. The types of symptoms a cat will exhibit will depend on the toxin she has been exposed to. If your cat begins to display any odd symptoms, she should be taken to the vet immediately. Having pet insurance for your cat can help to reduce some of the costs associated with emergency vet visits.

A cat that has been poisoned may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: lethargy or an overall sluggishness, vomiting, lack of appetite, difficulty walking or a staggering walk, seizure or difficulty breathing. If a cat has any of these symptoms, she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Cat owners can sometimes overlook these symptoms and associate them with pet stress.

If you have witnessed or have evidence that your cat has gotten into a toxic substance, like pet medication, take action immediately. Even if she is exhibiting no symptoms of being poisoned, take her in.

Your veterinarian can take precautionary measures to lessen the effects of the poison on your cat.

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Cat health: Pet food ingredients to avoid

Posted on: November 5th, 2010 by

Posted by: H.R.
Pets Best Insurance Editorial Manager
A cat enjoys a bowl of food.
Do you practice preventive care for your cats? Like any good cat owner, you probably do the basics: flea prevention, vaccines, and cat insurance. But what about the food you feed them? Do you believe that all cat food is the same? Are you intimidated by pet food ingredient lists?

While most cat owners research medications and cat insurance options in depth– many don’t spend nearly as much time looking into pet food.

Veterinarian of over 30 years, Greg Martinez DVM is part owner of the Gilroy Veterinary Hospital in Santa Clara Valley. Dr. Martinez wishes his clients would pay a little more attention to what they feed their pets.

“30% of my medical cases are related to common allergenic commercial ingredients in pet food,” wrote Dr. Martinez in an email.

Allergic reactions from pet food can appear as a variety of cat health symptoms. These include diarrhea, ear infections, and dry, itchy skin.

Hyperallergenic ingredients in cat foods that cause the most cat health care issues include wheat, soy, corn, beef and even fish. These are general ingredients you should seek to eliminate from your cat’s diet. Taking that step will be more beneficial than ruling out “by-products.” The term “by-product” simply refers to different parts of an animal, when in fact this is what cats are supposed to eat.

Cats are carnivores, meaning they need to eat animal-based protein. Pet food companies often rate their protein levels from plant-based proteins like grains, corn, and rice. These ingredients are often used to keep prices low, but they also keep the quality of nutrition low.

Starting at home, paying more attention to the ingredients you feed your cat can help him overcome or prevent issues that often result in stressful vet visits.

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Not sure where to adopt a cat? Here are some options

Posted on: November 4th, 2010 by

Two cats curl up in a red blanket.
Apparently, the country is catching on to what cat lovers have known for years.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, “there are more cats with homes than dogs in the United States,” (as quoted in the DailyCollegian.com article, “PCP: The Cat’s Meow”).

The reasons for this are clear in the October article:
• Cat health care and feeding is more affordable on average than dogs, who are usually larger.
• Cats are easier to live with in apartment settings, as they are litter trained and get ample indoor exercise.
• Cats are independent and need less training.

Those considering cat adoption have many avenues to explore to find “the one” (or the pair…cats do great in pairs).

Pet Adoption CentersThis option includes local animal control, a.k.a. “the pound,” which is usually run by the city. At this type of cat and dog shelter, animals usually have a short time to be claimed or adopted before facing euthanasia. Adopting from the pound means a life is truly saved.

Another type of cat shelter is a humane society, which is often a “no kill” or a “no time limit” facility. “No time limit” shelters often house cats that have been waiting for homes for weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes the cats are fostered. Adopting from a humane society often means obtaining much more information on the cats’ personalities, habits and temperament for other animals.

Cat & Kitten Rescue
Similar to a humane society, rescues are largely run by volunteers and the adoptable cats are usually kept in foster homes. The advantage of a rescue is that there are many organizations devoted to specific breeds; great for those who love a certain breed but don’t want to, or cannot afford, adopting from a breeder. Shelters and rescues often rotate available cats at local pet stores for the public to meet.

Breeders
Respectable breeders concentrate on advancing the health and lineage of particular breed. These cats come with official papers, their entire history is known, are often raised underfoot and come with health guarantees.

Adopters should be careful to avoid “back yard breeders.” These individuals breed with limited experience, no papers or guarantees, and sell the pets for profit.

After adopting a cat, it’s also a good idea to look into pet insurance, as accidents and illnesses come in many forms. For more information about cat insurance, talk with your veterinarian or visit www.petsbest.com.

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